Down The Line Magazinehttps://downthelinezine.com
Classic Music Never Gets OldSat, 09 Feb 2019 17:39:40 +0000enhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.3115076695DownTheLineMagazinehttps://feedburner.google.comUnwed Sailor Announces New Album “Heavy Age” and Tour Dateshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/qeQEMjFo3ao/
https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/09/unwed-sailor-announces-new-album-heavy-age-and-tour-dates/#respondSat, 09 Feb 2019 17:39:40 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3102Continued]]>“With over 20 years of music under his belt, Johnathon Ford, the visionary behind Unwed Sailor and one-time member of Pedro the Lion and Roadside Monument, presents a new offering in his expansive interpretation of instrumental music. Heavy Ageis the project’s first full length album since 2008’s Little Wars (Burnt Toast Vinyl), set for release on May 3rd, 2019.

The band has also announced April east coast and midwest tour dates, including stops in Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland and more (see below for full list of dates).

In effect, Heavy Age feels like the culmination of everything that Unwed Sailor has releasedâ€”and a touchstone toward which the band has been building for years. But the only way to understand their sound and style, to truly comprehend the breadth of their depth, is to pick up their stack of postcardsâ€”starting with Heavy Age, the darkest and densestâ€”and flip through them one at a time.

Unwed Sailor is will be touring throughout the year in support of their new album, Heavy Age. Their first run takes them to the midwest and east coast. West coast and southern U.S. dates will follow.”

]]>https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/09/unwed-sailor-announces-new-album-heavy-age-and-tour-dates/feed/03102https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/09/unwed-sailor-announces-new-album-heavy-age-and-tour-dates/Leem of Earth Releases “Chapter Two” Todayhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/o1aS1JjHTYs/
https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/08/leem-of-earth-releases-chapter-two-today/#respondFri, 08 Feb 2019 19:23:09 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3099Continued]]>On Chapter Two, Florida band Leem of Earth continue the musical expedition they began on Chapter One (which was released in Oct.). This three song release expands on the sound and the story. The sound is a nod to the vibe of the best nineties bands – part romance and part grunge. The band cites The Innocence Mission, Radiohead and Sunny Day Real Estate as some of their favorite bands from the period.

With Chapter Two, the band adds in otherworldly aspects. “Water” is a Peter Gabriel-style conversation with a skeleton. In “Faithful Lights”, the sun and moon watch over the dreaming narrator, and the music swells and surges with synth, voice and rhythm section all keeping pace with each other. “Only So Many Ways” features guitarist B’s towering electric, while N on bass and E on drums are vivid and relentless, and LM’s velvety voice wraps it all up.

Producer Jeremy SH Griffith (Johnnyswim, SUNBEAMS!) lends his synth expertise and creates a couple of codas from tiny pieces of the songs. Leem of Earth’s sound and vision is ethereal and not all that easy to describe, but we think that’s definitely a good thing.”

]]>https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/08/leem-of-earth-releases-chapter-two-today/feed/03099https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/08/leem-of-earth-releases-chapter-two-today/Help Re-issue Rose Blossom Punch’s “Sorry to Disappoint You” EP on vinylhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/Ueve9BIeX_w/
https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/08/help-re-issue-rose-blossom-punchs-sorry-to-disappoint-you-ep-on-vinyl/#respondFri, 08 Feb 2019 15:02:16 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3095Continued]]>“20 years ago, Rose Blossom Punch recorded an EP called Sorry to Disappoint You. 6 wonderfully awesome songs that never saw a proper release or even a final mix. We are finally celebrating it in the way it so richly deserves.

We’ve managed to join forces with Aaron Sprinkle on digging up those great songs and have put together a plan to get Rose Blossom Punch’s unreleased EP, Sorry to Disappoint You pressed on vinyl!

We’d love your support in order to get this done. Tracks have to be mixed from scratch and then mastered and prepped for the vinyl pressing. A graphic designer needs to prep the artwork, and (no surprise) we need to get the record actually pressed. All in all, pretty standard stuff in the record world but sometimes this stuff isn’t so cheap to get it done the right way.

]]>https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/08/help-re-issue-rose-blossom-punchs-sorry-to-disappoint-you-ep-on-vinyl/feed/03095https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/08/help-re-issue-rose-blossom-punchs-sorry-to-disappoint-you-ep-on-vinyl/New Music from Dw. Dunphyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/TXgcNBZ2RVQ/
https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/07/new-music-from-dw-dunphy/#respondThu, 07 Feb 2019 22:58:40 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3092Continued]]>Dw. Dunphy has released a new song on BandCamp. Of course, it is one song that is longer than some EPs – clocking in at over 9 and a half minutes long. If you have been looking for a good slightly trippy alternative/progressive rock/pop track to check out, go listen to “Ocean Floor.” FYI: fans of Daniel Amos and the various bands that they are influenced by should also check this track out.
]]>https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/07/new-music-from-dw-dunphy/feed/03092https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/02/07/new-music-from-dw-dunphy/Good Saint Nathanael – Hide No Truthhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/L9UMWf6CTNE/
Thu, 31 Jan 2019 20:22:07 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/reviews/?p=2400Continued]]>Nate Allen of Destroy Nate Allen fame takes on a dark but redemptive journey through his past, present, and future with the debut album from his new project Good Saint Nathanael. I should warn you that “redemptive” is not used here in the form that many in evangelical church circles would recognize. This is redemption that is still in process, the kind that comes from opening up your life to honesty and baring of the soul in the same manner that the various writers of the Psalms that you never read in church did. Nate Allen uses terms like “dark folk,” “good sad songs,” “bummer slowcore,” and “trauma-informed” to describe the music on Hide No Truth. Those are good starting places – I would recommend listening to Nate’s recent interview on the Down the Line podcast for more information. The music and lyrics on this album are probably some of the most soul-baring you have heard in a while. If you have had any problems with institutional religion, you will recognize yourself in these songs. Musically, many of these songs are Nate singing over simple guitars – but there are other layers in other songs as well. “Heaven” has some electrified atmospheric guitars playing in the foreground, while the acoustic guitar is played in a way that provides a rhythm. You feel like you are listening to a slow rock song until you tune in and realize there are no drums. Other times, like in “Lightening,” the electric guitars provide ambiance in the background of the acoustic guitar. There are many other sonic nuances in various songs that I won’t spoil here, but all of this to say that this is not just an entire album of one dude and his guitar and that’s it. There are layers to the music just like there are layers to the lyrics. This album is releasing February 1, so I would recommend that you get ready and go grab it when it finally does get unleashed. Your inner demons will thank you for it.
[2019 Independent | Purchase: goodsaintnathanael.bandcamp.com]]]>3085https://downthelinezine.com/reviews/good-saint-nathanael-hide-no-truth/And How Releases “Center of Gravity”http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/-Clepz5gjck/
https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/01/31/and-how-releases-center-of-gravity/#respondThu, 31 Jan 2019 17:31:54 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3082Continued]]>“It’s been nearly a year since we’ve connected. I have a brand new AND HOW album that I’m releasing today at !

I’ve been recording my songs, on whatever format I could find/afford, since I was 13 years old. Started out with a cassette recorder and my dad’s old acoustic guitar that I’d tune up to what I thought sounded right, and matched the melody I was trying to conjure out of my mouth. I’m basically still doing the same thing, although I’ve made some upgrades.

Whenever I get a new cd I like to find enough uninterrupted time to listen to it on my best sounding headphones or stereo. You never get that first listen back. Please don’t skim this album on your phone. If you do, damn your eyes, shame on you, and don’t ever tell me.If you can, download this on a WAV file and put it on a cd.

I love how this album turned out. It sounds how I wanted it to. I used my favorite instruments and microphones as well as some that have been neglected for years because they needed repair. I brought some cool guitars back from the dead just to put their distinct voices on this album.

Now find your “center of gravity” and enjoy the next 45 mins, if you will.

Keep this album alive by passing this link along to whoever you think might dig this:

]]>https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/01/31/and-how-releases-center-of-gravity/feed/03082https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2019/01/31/and-how-releases-center-of-gravity/Good Saint Nathanaelhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/1rNcU3RKHj4/
Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:50:09 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/dtlpodcast/?p=96Continue reading "Good Saint Nathanael"]]>Had a great conversation with Nate Allen about his new project Good Saint Nathanael. You can find our more about his new project @ http://hidenotruth.com/.

With his new project Good Saint Nathanael, Nate Allen is turning to face his demons leading with a rare, disarming vulnerability. On Hide No Truth (available on Feb. 1st), the harder Nate looks at himself in the mirror, the more humanity reveals its bitter, beautiful complexity.

The nine songs on Hide No Truth find Nate stripping back his sonic palette to reveal stark, memorable, acoustic songs full of detail and intention.

In what is a cathartic move towards self-choice, honest art and emotional health, Nate uses religious language to explore human vulnerability and his own broken Christian religious experience.

Faced with a choice between ignoring his past or leaving his faith and community, Good Saint Nathanael is a project seeking a 3rd path, one that lances the wounds, protests somberly, and grieves deeply while still refusing to give up.

]]>3079https://downthelinezine.com/dtlpodcast/2019/01/28/good-saint-nathanael/Help The Choir Release “Bloodshot” on Vinylhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/21lEQdcnc-c/
Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:40:53 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3076Continued]]>You knew this would happen – Bloodshot has generally been praised by all that have heard it (including us), so it was only a matter of time before they caved to the demand for vinyl. From the Kickstarter project: “It is 2019 and we carry on…as always with your involvement. You’ve kept us moving and shaking for decades and fed our souls. It was with your support that we created Bloodshot in which we are very proud. Many folks have reached out to us expressing that they’d like to see Bloodshot set to VINYL. We’d like that too. We hope experiencing Bloodshot on VINYL will be a marvelous moving experience. We also feel it is a fitting gesture in honoring Tim Chandler as it was the last project he played on.

Creatively we will master the audio specifically for VINYL and package it in a specially designed gate-fold jacket with added lyric sheet insert.

But this campaign isn’t just about issuing an album on the vinyl format. It’s our way of working together with you to continue to stay in the game. The goal budget will cover the cost of production, manufacturing and paying fees for mastering, design etc. Anything beyond this goal really help to keep us going personally and professionally as well as help us do more marketing and promotions to find old fans that might not know we’re still going strong as well as win the hearts of new fans.”

As some of you know, I lead a complicated life with some conflicting interests and vocations. I’ve been in bands and making music since I was seventeen years old (that is, for 31 years). Having taken on the vocation of the Christian priesthood (more about that here), I’ve pushed music making more and more into the background. Even so, I do a lot of writing. At the same time I miss having a band to work with in this way! There is nothing like writing music in a group, sharing your ideas and creating songs. It can be very difficult work, but it is immensely rewarding. I’ve enjoyed working with my pals in Luxury and in They Sang As They Slew in the past (and to some degree in the present).

Almost ten years ago, I made the decision to more-or-less permanently set aside my dreams of rock fame and fortune (such as they were) in order to accept a higher and more demanding calling. And doing this left a large hole in my life as a musician. In the process, I began to release music under the moniker “Champion Leader” (a reference to the Holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God). It began as a way to blow off steam and feed the creative part of my mind while I was working through seminary.

I’m turning a bit of corner in my own musical life, and in order to breathe a little creative life into my music-making, I’m rebranding my work under a new name: GOLF SLANG. The name has some personal significance to it (golf has played an odd part of my life since childhood, and the sport has a language of its own) and hopefully expresses a certain sense of humor in a new way when it comes to my music.

If you like Champion Leader, there is a significant chance that you will also like Golf Slang. So I’m writing this to suggest that you have a look at the Golf Slang bandcamp page and try out the new five-song EP that I uploaded this week. I hope that you enjoy it. And I would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts to share with me about music, spiritual thoughts, the Christmas season or whatever.

As always: thank you for listening. I would especially like to thank those of you who have stood with me through the years and become a real part of why I keep making and releasing music.

As we settle in for the holidays here in Kansas City, we are so thankful for your support. We hope you’ve had a fantastic year.

We are excited to present the trailer for Nate’s upcoming album Hide No Truth (Feb 1st, 2019). This is for his new project Good Saint Nathanael. The album and trailer have been pulled out of some of the most vulnerable places in his soul. Please watch and share if you feel inclined. https://youtu.be/dJtj27LbtsE “Better” the first single from Hide No Truth is available now to stream on all platforms and here is the official lyric video: https://youtu.be/iVzmEc-jVd4

If you happen to be around KC tonight (12/21), Nate has a show at Records With Merritt. He’ll be playing Good Saint Nathanael tracks and a few Destroy Nate Allen tunes as well.

Near the end of Nate Allen’s first Destroy Nate Allen tour he spray painted the words “My Goal Is Resolution” boldly on his acoustic guitar. The vulnerability and complexity of that statement unknowingly charted a course for his life.

With his new project Good Saint Nathanael, Nate Allen is turning to face his demons leading with a rare-disarming vulnerability. On Hide No Truth (available on Feb. 1st), the harder Nate looks at himself in the mirror, the more humanity reveals its bitter, beautiful complexity.

The nine songs on Hide No Truth find Nate stripping back his sonic pallet to reveal stark, memorable, acoustic songs full of detail and intention.

In what is a cathartic move towards self-choice, honest art and emotional health, Nate uses religious language to explore human vulnerability and his own broken Christian religious experience.

Faced with a choice between ignoring his past or leaving his faith and community, Good Saint Nathanael is a project seeking a 3rd path, one that lances the wounds, protests somberly, and grieves deeply while still refusing to give up.

Hide No Truth was recorded and mixed by Jon Terrey (Listener, The Chariot). Then Nate assigned different friends to add whatever their vision of “noise” was to each track, further adding to the haunting soundscape. Lastly, the record was mastered by Jim Demain at Yes Master Studios (John Prine, Frank Black, June Carter Cash).”

]]>3064https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2018/12/27/good-saint-nathanael-hide-no-truth-album-trailer-and-announcement/Interview with Theo Obrastoffhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/bY4H4IGlxtY/
Thu, 13 Dec 2018 15:46:01 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/dtlpodcast/?p=85Continue reading "Interview with Theo Obrastoff"]]>Welcome back Theo! Theo has been on the podcast many times so if you want more background info about him check out the older podcasts. Otherwise, jump into the recorded portion of a many years long ongoing conversation.

I always enjoy listening to Theo’s Christmas music as a break from the normal Christmas fare. Listen to his Christmas music here. We also opened with a song for his amazing concept record that has more catchy songs than most people write in a lifetime. Download and listen for free here.

]]>3061https://downthelinezine.com/dtlpodcast/2018/12/13/interview-with-theo-obrastoff/Altar Boys – No Substitutehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/lifKvYctfUE/
Tue, 11 Dec 2018 19:40:26 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/reviews/?p=2393Continued]]>Your eyes aren’t deceiving you – this is a new release from the Altar Boys… kind of. You see, for decades No Substitute was a rumored “lost” Altar Boys album. In an interview for Down the Line in 2009, Mike Stand confirmed those old rumors of an unreleased album to be true to some degree. The songs for the album had been recorded as demos, but the album was shelved when the Altar Boys called it a day. Some songs (in newer format) made it into the Clash of Symbols catalog. Then more recently there were Facebook postings about a cassette of said demos surfacing, and how the demos were near studio quality even. Then the band decided to dust off a couple of the demo songs for a documentary. Then silence. Finally, Lo-Fidelity announced out of nowhere that all of the songs would be finished (by adding a few missing full instrument tracks), cleaned up, and released. Miracles do happen in all kinds of ways. But the question is – what would these tracks sound like? I don’t have the demo versions to compare to, but the final tracks on the official release sound studio quality to me. Stylistically, I would say this continues well from Forever Mercy while still reaching back to some of the anthemic punk of Gut Level Music. A bit too melodic to be pure punk, but a bit too punk to be pure rock? I got my version on vinyl, but you can find various digital versions out there as well (CD, download, and streaming). The layout, sound, and packaging are all top notch. Great job by all involved in bringing this long lost album back from the beyond. This was initially funded by a Kickstarter, but you can get extra copies now (although I would suggest you make sure to snag a copy before they run out).
[2018 Lo-Fidelity Records | Purchase: thealtarboys.bandcamp.com]]]>3054https://downthelinezine.com/reviews/altar-boys-no-substitute/The Co​-​Op Communique Releases “Happy Holidays” EPhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/kGdpo0g4Bck/
Wed, 05 Dec 2018 02:24:01 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3048Continued]]>The Co​-​Op Communique returns with more free goodies for you to enjoy this holiday season. The Happy Holidays From The Co​-​Op Communique E​.​P. is only an “ep” by Co​-​Op Communique standards – check out their BandCamp page for a free download of 12 holiday tunes by Dw. Dunphy, Pop Co-Op, The New Favourites, Super 8, and many others: https://coopcommunique.bandcamp.com/album/happy-holidays-from-the-co-op-communique-e-p
]]>3048https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2018/12/04/the-co%e2%80%8b-%e2%80%8bop-communique-releases-happy-holidays-ep/The Lead and Roxx Records to Release “The Past Behind +30”http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/iGKttYYvRno/
Mon, 19 Nov 2018 21:33:14 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3044Continued]]>From Julio Rey: “Thirty years ago was the Lead’s major label debut as REX released our THE PAST BEHIND EP, re-recorded in pro quality for the occasion.

Most people heard that REX version as opposed to our self released cheap recording from the year before. Unfortunately, it never made it onto CD, neither back in 88 nor for the Hardcore for Jesus boxset in 2006.

So we teamed up with Roxx Records to finally give The Past Behind its due. December 15 will see the release of The Past Behind +30, which brings together both versions plus live cuts, rehearsals and demos and topped off with a 12-page booklet of collages a la punk by moi that takes you back to the day.

The Past Behind +30 WILL NOT BE STREAMING on Spotify or iTunes or anywhere else. We’re going to sell the digital tracks directly to fans like thou.

In the process, we’re upping our mailing list game. Stay in the loop by clicking the link below and letting us drop you the EP’s single, the 2018 remaster of the 1988 single: TUNNEL VISION.”

]]>3044https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2018/11/19/the-lead-and-roxx-records-to-release-the-past-behind-30/Help Reissue The Lost Dogs “Little Red Riding Hood”http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/jWxGnWsIBeM/
Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:12:06 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/?p=3041The Lost Dogs are looking to re-issue Little Red Riding Hood on vinyl and a deluxe edition CD with a bonus disc of extra music. Want to get in on the action? Check on the Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2113730376/help-reissue-the-lost-dogs-little-red-riding-hood
]]>3041https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2018/11/19/help-reissue-the-lost-dogs-little-red-riding-hood/The Grape Prophet pt.1http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownTheLineMagazine/~3/hcV3hCdsaHk/
Tue, 13 Nov 2018 15:19:29 +0000https://downthelinezine.com/dtlpodcast/?p=79Matt and Mike talk about the 1992 release “The Grape Prophet” by L.S. Underground. Thanks to Michael Knott for permission to play the songs.